Salary thresholds set for high-skilled foreign workers

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Dutch government has set the 2019 salary thresholds for high-skilled foreign workers in the Highly Skilled Migrants program, EU Blue Card program and others.

What does the change mean? As of Jan. 1, the minimum gross monthly salary, not including an 8-percent holiday allowance, will be as follows.

• Highly Skilled Migrants 30 years or older: €4,500.
• Highly Skilled Migrants younger than 30 years: €3,299.
• Highly Skilled Migrants after graduation or after job search year/highly educated persons: €2,364.
• EU Blue Card holders: €5,272.

Background: The salary thresholds are indexed annually. The amounts set for 2019 represents a 2-percent increase over current thresholds in each category. In order to meet the salary threshold, employers may include monthly salary components that are gross, guaranteed, and paid directly into the bank account of the employee. In-kind benefits or wages that are not guaranteed, such as performance bonuses, cannot be included to meet the monthly salary threshold.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should plan to apply the 2019 thresholds to applications filed after Dec. 31. Applications filed before the end of the year are subject to the 2018 salary thresholds.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.